To make amends, let Bush speak for himself

CARPENTER

Many people, it seems, agree it was wrong to damage an Allentown park to accommodate the political fortunes of President Bush.

"I can't believe that the Republican Party couldn't find a better place than the Lehigh Parkway to showcase the dubious talents of the president," said an e-mail from Gregg Potter of Allentown.

"Although I typically despise the majority of your opinions," wrote Eric Sell of Allentown, "I couldn't agree more with your [column]."

That's the way much of my mail went after I bashed the GOP rally in Sunday's column -- but the mailbox and answering machine were also full of fury, especially over my comments about Bush's intellect.

"Your column was inexcusable," wrote Carol Hume, who said she took her grandson to the rally. "We were not afraid that President Bush's intellect would rub off on him."

Donald Doland accused me of being a Democrat, which will come as a shock to my wife, an incurable Democrat who can't stand my oft-stated denigrations of her party.

"Your ego far outdistances your brain," said a phone message from Dick Lind of Bethlehem, referring to my comments about Bush's intellect and my view that the two-party system represents only small special-interest cadres.

The outpouring of rage was so intense I decided to make amends. Instead of bashing the mentality of our prez, I should let him speak for himself.

Luckily, I got help in that regard from Bob Markwich of Center Valley, who sent me his 2004 desk calendar. It has a quotation by Bush for each day of the year. Here goes:

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well." (I'm sure Herbert Hoover appreciates it.)

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning? The illiteracy level of our children are appalling." (Two separate calendar entries, and we am concerned.)

"I understand that the unrest in the Middle East creates unrest throughout the region." (Maybe even in Iraq, too.)

"As you know, these are open forums; you're able to come and listen to what I have to say." (That's how it works with the "free speech" zones that prevent any dissent within a mile of political rallies -- as happened in Allentown.)

"You see, the Senate wants to take away some of the powers of the administrative branch." (And give them to the executive branch?)

"The legislature's job is to write laws. It's the executive branch's job to interpret law." (And it's the judicial branch's job to play canasta.)

"Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction." (Given the Bush administration's crusade to quash freedom in America, and my background as an Air Force nuclear weapons technician, I think he may have a point there.)

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice." (That'll teach 'em.)

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times." (Banzai! Bombs away!)

"We're moving to protect the United Nations Constitution." (We'll need it, too, once he guts the U.S. Constitution.)

"Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease." (Except for the part of Africa that is in Norway.)

"We've tripled the amount of money -- I believe it's from $50 million up to $195 million." (Them children is not only illiterate, they is bad at math.)

Drat. I'm already at the bottom of the page, with 351 days left. If you want to further evaluate Bush's intellect, maybe Bob Markwich will let you peek at his calendar.